Family Update

I thought I'd write a few snippets to let you know what is new with our family.

Cale is still taking piano lessons from mom. I think he has a natural gift for music, but he isn't always real motivated to practice very long. And we are getting sucked into the sports realm and signing him up for spring soccer. We'll see how that turns out! :) His most recent love, however, is legos. He will spend hours with the creator legos that come with step by step directions on how to build various cars. It is neat to see his determination and his long attention span...especially since we haven't seen that on the piano bench!
Mya has had some real emotional issues after Silas has come home. I think she feels like the third wheel most of the time. She used to be Cale's only play mate, and now he shares so many interests with his little brother that the boys seem to be together most of the time. She tends to want to mother the boys and that is not always well received. We have recently signed her up for gymnastics, and she has been a lot braver than we anticipated. Since she still has much weakness in her ankles, I think this time will be good for her physically as well as emotionally. Wednesday nights have become a girls night as mom takes her to class and then we swing by and get a bean burrito for dinner.

Silas continues to grow and expand his vocabulary. Tony and I went on a marriage retreat last weekend (much needed time away-thank you Nona and Granddad) , and he even tried to talk me into staying home by telling me that he had an ear infection, needed medicine, and needed to go to the doctor's office. Where does he get this stuff?? He is definitely the most strong willed out of the kids. He tends to frustrate us the most, but also make us laugh the hardest. I just continue to pray that this passion will be channeled into his love for the Lord someday!

Tony and I are doing some minor home remodeling. Before you feel too sorry for him, I have to say up front that his "honey do" list was only partially my idea...he has contributed just as much as I have! I caught him painting the laundry room wearing this t-shirt.

Weekend Fun

My Valentine spent the weekend in Texas :(...but it was the opportunity of a lifetime. My older brother, Matthew, was able to get three tickets to the NBA All Star game. So my younger brother, Seth, and Tony headed out Friday night. I love it when my hubby can hang with my brothers. Here are some pics from their testosterone filled weekend. :)









Silas has been taking his turn praying at the dinner table. I've been trying to get him on film because it is so adorable, but of course it is a bit distracting when mom whips out the camera! I finally was able to hit play holding the camera under the table and zoom it on him after he was fully engaged in his prayer. Unlike the other kids, I've never caught him with his eyes open. Silas takes it very seriously and will go on and on unless one of us prompts him to say "amen". So, the video below is dark and you have to listen carefully but we captured a little bit of his prayer.

"Thank you, mommy..., daddy...thank you for food....Cale..." muttering..."thank you, food....thank you, food...amen!"

Let it Snow!

Cale was super disappointed that he didn't get to go back to school today...I'm sure he is in the minority! However, it has been a good opportunity for him to show his little bro how to make a good snow ball. Silas loved the snow, but it didn't take long for him to get his fill!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Progress

I don't feel like I've posted many details about our adjustment struggles...but there have been many tears and frustrating days...weeks...but God is GOOD and we are getting there. We had a great visit with our social worker last week. Silas reacts to our parenting in such unpredictable, interesting ways...so we've been trying to analyze and dissect what has happened to him in the past to condition him this way. But the bottom line is that we will never know about his life pre-Vernon. I need to get past needing an explanation...it is what it is. Thank goodness that God doesn't make me explain my every illogical behavior! :) So, hard core prayer is what this momma needs to commit to. I am so thankful for a husband that is ever present and ready to serve his family extra when I feel like I can't do it anymore. If I was capable in my flesh to do what God called me to do, what glory would be in that for Him?? So, honestly my hard days are me trying HARDER rather than just giving it over. When will we learn?? :)

On a positive note Silas has made huge strides on his English. He understands just about anything we say and has really increased his vocabulary. Sometimes he has this southern accent as he says his name. It is really quite adorable. When we leave somewhere he says "Later" like he is all that! He loves to TRY to count, paint, torment his sister :), and play cars with his brother. Silas insists upon getting a "piderman ban-aid" (spiderman band-aid) for every mark on his body....which are quite numerous for this rambunctious boy. I don't know where he gets his energy.

Here are some recent photos:

2nd Family Photo-Happy Thanksgiving!

Silas meeting Red & Susan and playing w/cousins.

Look at all these Bunn grand babies!

We celebrated Christmas on Thanksgiving w/the Bunn family. Mya loves hippos
and received one from Uncle Matthew & Aunt Vicki.

The older boys received dart nerf guns from Uncle Kevin. Cale had so much fun, he cried when
everyone had to leave!

Silas is officially a member of the Bunn family. He loves black olives!